teXt0wnz

Your browser is the canvas

A retro text art editor rebooted for the modern web. Draw, edit, and collaborate on ANSI, ASCII, NFO, and XBIN files. Offline-first with auto-save/restore via local storage, plus an optional self-hosted server component enabling real-time, multi-user sessions. Crafted for keyboard-centric artists and creators using mouse or touch, on any device. Built with modern tools and automated testing for a seamless experience for text artists and developers.

Draw in your browser now!

| Domain | Status | |:------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------------| | https://text.0w.nz | The main domain. Collab server may be available | | https://xero.github.io/text0wnz | Github Pages version of the site. No collab server |

,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_,-'2_

Table o' Contents

• Features
• File Types
• Browser Support
• Documentation
• Drawing & Editing Tools
• Key-bindings & Mouse/Touch Controls
• Tips & Workflow
• Build & Development
• Collaborative Server
• Docker Containerization
• Testing Suite
• Troubleshooting
• Project History
• License & Greetz

"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"7_/"

Features

• Web-based text art drawing, also works offline as a PWA
  • No install required!
  • But easily installed as a Progressive Web Application to your device
• Comprehensive keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls
  • Draw using the keyboard, mouse, or touch screen
• Classic and modern fonts
  • Over 100 fonts from IBM PCs, Amiga, C64, and many more vintage/custom
• Full suite of drawing tools:
  • Keyboard, freehand brushes, fills, shapes, selection, and mirror mode
• Advanced color management
  • 16-color ANSI, iCE colors, real-time preview, color conflict resolution
  • Custom XBIN color palette support and selection
• Supported file types:
  • Import: ANSI, BIN, XBIN, NFO, DIZ, UTF-8 TXT
  • Export: all of the above and PNG
• Multi-platform file opening
  • Desktop: OS "Open with" integration (Chrome/Edge)
  • Android: Share sheet integration
  • iPad+iOS: Enhanced file picker
  • Drag-and-drop support for everyone!
• Canvas operations:
  • Undo/redo, canvas resizing, font selection, and full SAUCE metadata support
• Editor options:
  • Canvas zoom, light/dark mode, and grid overlay
• Auto Save/Restore
  • Editor Setting saved to local storage for a consistent drawing sessions
  • Artwork and undo history saved to IndexedDB as you draw, auto-reloads when the app is opened
  • Optimized binary data storage packing for efficient canvas persistence
• Collaborative server mode
  • For real-time multi-user editing
  • Optional and opt-in by users. See: Privacy
• Build tools:
  • Bun, Vite, PostCSS
• Automated tests:
  • Playwright, Vitest, Testing Library
• Robust linting and formatting:
  • Eslint and Prettier

Supported File Types

| Extension | Description | Import | Export | Sauce | |:----------------|:---------------------------------------|:-----|:-----|:-----| | .ans | ANSI art | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | | .utf8.ans | UTF-8 ANSI for modern terminals | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | | | .bin | DOS-era binary format | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | | .xb | XBIN format | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | | .nfo | Scene release format | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | | .diz | FILE_ID.DIZ archive metadata files | ░▒▒░ | | ░▒▒░ | | .txt | ASCII or other plain text | ░▒▒░ | ░▒▒░ | | | .png | Artwork rendered as an image | | ░▒▒░ | |

Browser Support

| Browser | Chrome | Firefox | Safari | Edge | Opera | iOS | iPadOS | Android | |:------------------|:-------|:--------|:--------|:-------|:-------|:--------|:-------|:--------| | Last Updated <br> 2025-11-20 | <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wiki/xero/text0wnz/img/chrome.svg" width="50" height="50"> | <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wiki/xero/text0wnz/img/firefox.svg" width="50" height="50"> | <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wiki/xero/text0wnz/img/safari.svg" width="50" height="50"> | <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wiki/xero/text0wnz/img/edge.svg" width="50" height="50"> | <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wiki/xero/text0wnz/img/opera.svg" width="50" height="50"> | <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wiki/xero/text0wnz/img/ios.svg" width="50" height="50"> | <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wiki/xero/text0wnz/img/ipados.svg" width="50" height="50"> | <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wiki/xero/text0wnz/img/android.svg" width="50" height="50"> | | Supported | 95.0+ | 93.0+ | 15.0+ | 95.0+ | 81.0+ | 15.0+ | 15.0+ | 95.0+ | | Latest Dev | Canary | Nightly | Preview | Dev | - | - | - | - | | Unsupported | < 94.x | < 92.x | < 14.x | < 94.x | < 80.x | < 14.x | < 14.x | < 94.x |

Documentation

The docs folder contains raw markdown documentation files

The wiki renders these files into easier to read webpages

Application Guides

• Editor Manual - Visual guide to the Frontend application ↵
  • Key bindings - Hot keys reference guide ↵
• Collaboration Server - Backend real-time collaboration server ↵
• Architecture - System architecture and design overview ↵
• PWA Install - Guide to app installing and OS integration for multiple platforms [↵](ht